Tywin

"You're late."

He is gazing at the doorway. At its receiving end, is his estranged son who is holding a book with both of his hands. It's too huge for him, considering his short stature. He found the sight entirely satisfying for his tastes. Seeing his imp of a son in a ridiculous state.

"What is she doing here?" Tyrion walked closer to them with his eyes at Cersei, who is sitting on his right.

"Our business concerns her too. Sit."

As Tyrion had himself seated, he said, "You'll be pleased to learn, that after one conversation with Olenna Tyrell, I've saved the crown hundreds of thousands on this wedding." He opens the large book that he rests atop of the table.

"Never mind that now. We have something important to discuss."

"I'm Master of Coin. Saving money is important." I know you are, yet that is what the Master of Coin is just supposed to do. The dwarf turned his attention to his sister, who's looking at her pleased with herself. "Stop that. You're making me uncomfortable."

Tywin rolled his eyes internally. The bickering of children. How old will they be before it stops?

"A report had just been unraveled that your new friends, the Tyrells, are plotting to marry Sansa Stark to Ser Loras. And it happened that your sister here came to tell me about it." He had come to know about this intelligence even before his daughter spilled it to him earlier. It was from his grandson, Tyus. He came to him yesterday before he took his breather for the rest of the day after a grueling work of running the realm. In the name of another grandson of his, the King, who did nothing but to waddle about around the Red Keep, not bothering to solve the conclusions of his wrong doings that fueled this war.

First, he was irritated that the boy would come to see him at such late hour, and doesn't take refusal for an answer as it was said that the matters he wanted to discuss are urgent and important. But his annoyance faltered when he was briefed about it.

"What do you want?" His tone was gruff, and he almost spat those words as it 's obvious he is not pleased with the disturbance.

Still standing and not claiming himself a seat because the boy understood his hostile greeting in another way. "You don't need to be like that, grandfather. I apologize if it means so much to you. But I know this is something you need to know."

"And what is it?" He said while gesturing his grandson to sit. This better be done quickly if he's right. Tywin wants nothing but to cut straight to the point.

Tyus looked right in his eyes. "Our loyal allies, the Tyrells, are planning to marry Sansa to their Knight of Flowers. Daring, but you know what that means, grandfather."

He gritted his teeth upon hearing this. It seems that even who I deemed as allies are even plotting to strengthen their house, against my plans, against me, he thought to himself.

They must not

"We cannot allow this to prosper, Tyus." It must be stopped. The Key to the North is long due in his hands already, long enough that other players are desiring it for their own ends. He was always been skeptical to those descendants of a steward who are clearly trying hard to claw their way up to be a powerful house of their own. He paid little to no mind to it unless their ploy for greatness intercepts with his own.

And unfortunately for them, now is that time

The boy didn't answer and he continued. "The North is opening its gates to us, slowly but surely. After what we have done in this war just to gain the position we have right now, we cannot allow it just to be snatched away by the postulant house who are smiling at us when we're with them but conniving and sneaking behind our backs."

Still locking his gaze at the boy who does the same, he saw him smile when he finished what he said. One that didn't reach his eyes. Tywin found himself pleased with this sight. He saw a lion in front of him. The son that he never had.

The thought of Tyus and his closeness to his key to the North came to his mind even if it is not lost to him. Now is the time to utilize it and put it to good use. "She must not marry Loras Tyrell."

By the looks of his grandson was giving to him, he already knows what he was implying. All his efforts raising this boy seemed paid off. It was Tyus' turn to speak, "I actually came here with a solution for you. A very convenient one, I suppose." His tone was smooth and hushed.

He just remained silent, and the young lion leaned forward and continued, "Give me your blessing and I will be the one who will marry Sansa, to secure the North for you, grandfather."

Tywin didn't gave his answer for a moment. He already knew what he will say. Instead, he took the time to inspect the boy and to ponder what he has done since he brought him here in King's Landing. Tyus, for the most of his wonder, became extremely valuable than he has ever thought the boy can be when he was reinstatement back as the Hand. His grandson knows how to play the game, and he is even good at it. He became his eyes and ears to the matters that concerns his efforts to bring House Lannister to the top, and while also not bringing any taint to his name except for the whispers between the boy and Sansa Stark, which was really beneficial for his plans.

If Olenna Tyrell has her Rose, I have Tyus.

Of Course, he must admit that those actions of Tyus reflected the absurd gossips he had heard from the court. He used to hear that his grandson is the prodigy of his house and the lion that would continue his legacy. He was unconvinced when he first heard it since the boy refused to become a knight, much for his disapproval but hence, just took the seat at the western council for the assurance he gave him that he will not fail.

He did what he said but Tywin viewed him as a gifted diplomat who just managed the position he gave him correctly, mysteriously eliminating corruptions and making trade in Westerlands its tying to the top as its source of revenue aside from its renowned gold that was already been depleted.

Tyus inherited his father's intelligence, he unwillingly gave the credit to Tyrion but he gave a little thought that the boy has enough cleverness for scheming at this level especially here in King's Landing to help him empower his house and get rid of his rivals.

Is that enough?

Tywin pondered heavily not about the marriage arrangement but to another critical matter. He immediately thought about his son and 'supposedly' heir, Jaime. Aside from the fact that he is still nowhere to be found despite his efforts, he is of the Kingsguard. And he will insist on being so, he thought himself. But his son's somewhat love for honor and obsession to be a Kingsguard made Tywin doubt about him.

He again turned back his attention to the very boy in front of him. Tywin realized that his grandson is a grown man now. With the stature and appearance befitting a Lannister except for his mismatched eyes, but he cannot do anything about it either. Tyus did nothing but to uplift the Lannister name and will continue to help him do so. With that, he made his decision.

"Alright, it is settled. You will marry the girl, as soon as possible. Much time has already been wasted. And If you don't have anything else to say, you may leave." He said as he stood up but his grandson interrupted him before he could walk away.

"Grandfather, one more thing." Tyus also stood up and continued when he turned around and face him. "Can we keep this conversation between us, a secret?"

Why? He raised his right eyebrow at Tyus but kept his question to himself. "I came to know that here in the Red Keep, the less people who know what you knew, the better."

Smart

Tywin had himself agreeing to Tyus' notion and nodded. "If you wish, my grandson."

"Very well. She's a lovely girl. Missing some of Loras' favorite bits, but I'm sure they'll make do." Tyrion nonchalantly said while leaning back to his chair.

He didn't tell Tyrion? He wondered himself and Tyus' words rang in his head.

The fewer people who know what you knew, the better

Of course, he didn't. Tywin narrowed his eyes at his son and scolded him. "Your jokes are not appreciated." Pleased that the dwarf shuts up, he continued. "I bring them into the royal fold, and this is how they repay me, by trying to steal the key to the North out from under me."

There was silence. It was his daughter who glanced sideways from Tyrion to him with a curious look on her face. But Cersei didn't mutter anything. He clarified what he meant. "The Karstarks have marched home. The young wolf has lost half his army. His days are numbered. Theon Greyjoy murdered both his brothers. That makes Sansa Stark the heir to Winterfell. And I am not about to hand her over to the Tyrells."

Ever

It was Tyrion's turn to ask. "Do you think it's wise to counter them? Remember, the Tyrells helped us winning this war."

"This is a plot. Plots are not public knowledge. All we need to do is act first and kill this union before they prevail."

"And how do we do that?"

Do you really need to ask that? Simple. "We will find Sansa Stark a different husband."

"Wonderful."

"Yes, it is." Cersei followed her brother's remark with a satisfied smirk on her face. Tyrion just sent her a confused look, but he didn't say anything. Tywin then announced his next step. "Tyrion, your son will marry Sansa Stark as soon as possible to secure our hold to the North."

His dwarf son just had his lips thinned and quietly nodded at his will while Cersei snapped at him with a look of disbelief. "What?! Why him?"

With that question, he also had to announce another will of his that he was thinking once in awhile. But he now has his decision. Tywin looked at his daughter's eyes before saying what needs to be said. "Because he is my heir."

Silence

But this silence was different out of all that he and his children had experienced from what he could recall. Both of them with their mouths agape. But Tyrion has the wider one with his eyes in sync, while his sister has a slightly furrowed brows. Tywin noticed that his dwarf son's expression shifted to a grateful one. His eyes conveying anything but his mouth pressed into a thin line.

"But he is a son of a whore!" Cersei exclaimed at him.

That made her brother snap at her with a furious face of his own. "He is my son." He said the words one by one with a venom in his voice.

"Enough." His voice dominated the room, and the stupid bickering of his children also stopped. "Tyus will secure the North, while you will secure the Reach." He turned to Cersei while saying the last phrase.

"What? Father, what do you mean?"

"You will wed again, and this time, it will be with Ser Loras. Marrying the heir will make us secure the Reach." The Tyrells must thank him for this arrangement for they will be married twice to the royal family. Since it is power, what they've wanted, he will give it to them. And there are no other options. He will make sure of it.

Cersei continued her furious streak. "No, I won't do it."

It is a command. "Yes, you will. You're still fertile. You need to marry again and breed."

His daughter became more infuriated in his statement and barked at him. "I am Queen Regent, not some broodmare!"

Not liking the fact that his daughter raised her voice at him, he finally had enough. "You're my daughter! You will do as I command and you will marry Loras Tyrell and put an end to the disgusting rumors about you once and for all." His temper risen further upon mentioning the whispers between Jaime and Cersei. Tywin doesn't know why these rumors did not die for all the years that had passed. But one thing he knew that he wouldn't have it and ever tolerate its existence.

"Father, don't make me do it again, please." Cersei's words are now with desperation, but it is needed to be done.

"Not another word." Finishing those words, the room became quiet. Tywin stood up and continued. "My children. You've disgraced the Lannister name for far too long."

With that, all he heard is his footsteps as he left swiftly seeing a glimpse of the two silent figures.

A/N: New Chapter! Hope it's fine

Reviews are welcome of course

Btw, I made Tywin non- skeptical about Tyrion not knowing what Tyus told him, since he had it in his mind that the boy's loyalty lies at him and not to his father.

Ps. If you think the story is going far too slow, let me know. I'd like to hasten the timeline once in a while

That's all. Bless x